Chapter 267: Targeting the Long Clan
With news spreading from Five Dragon Island that the Long Clan's new generation was preparing to form a Core, the island quickly became lively.
Many late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators appeared in the marketplace without drawing attention—most of them had no hope of reaching Core Formation.
Among them, quite a few harbored the intention of "fishing in troubled waters."
Even Celestial Spring Peak had recently grown bustling.
“Fellow Daoist Lin.”
“Senior Lin.”
Inside a pavilion, False Core cultivator Lu Yushu wore a beaming smile as he brought the clan’s finest Spirit Tea for a visit. Accompanying him was the sword fanatic Lu Yujian.
“Fellow Daoist Lu, you’re too courteous.”
Lin Chang’an nodded with a smile. His Sword Attendant respectfully stepped forward to brew tea for the two guests.
Meanwhile, Lu Yujian, quite tactful, stood quietly behind. After all, as someone at the late-stage Foundation Establishment, he wasn’t qualified to sit at the table.
Ever since Lu Yushu had formed a False Core, Lady Lu had stepped down from the clan head position, leaving it to him.
“Recently the trade routes have cleared up, and merchant ships sail without hindrance. This is all thanks to you, Fellow Daoist Lin. These are this year's profits.”
Under the command of the Sixth Elder of Sea Abyss City, the trade vessels of his concubine, Fairy Tan, arrived unimpeded.
As a local clan, the Lu Clan reaped considerable benefits as well.
Naturally, a portion of the Merchant Guild’s profits was allocated to them.
In other words, Lin Chang’an’s income from Spirit Stones now came from three main sources in addition to his personal technical earnings:
One was the stipend from Xuanyin Pavilion, another was the dividend from the Merchant Guild, and the last came from the Spirit Herbs planted on Celestial Spring Peak and the Spirit Fish raised in the ponds.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, I heard that True Master Hai has an old grudge with the Island Lord of the Long Clan. I didn’t expect him to still be alive—and to return to Five Dragon Island with a formal challenge...”
Hearing Lu Yushu’s words, Lin Chang’an nodded lightly.
This True Master Hai was said to be at the late Core Formation stage. Rumor had it that back when he visited Five Dragon Island, he couldn’t tolerate the Long Clan’s overbearing ways and clashed with the Island Lord.
In the end, he was publicly defeated and humiliated by that very Island Lord.
Indeed, in the world of cultivation, tides could turn in just a hundred years. Look how just over a century later, his enemy had returned to settle scores.
“Seems this True Master Hai has chosen his timing well, appearing precisely at this crucial juncture.”
Lin Chang’an quipped—this man could’ve come earlier or later, but chose now? Clearly suspicious.
Back when the Long Clan’s Island Lord failed to form his Nascent Soul and was gravely weakened—that would’ve been the best time for revenge.
Yet he didn’t show then. And now, here he was.
It was obvious someone had instigated or invited him.
With an old grudge already in place, and now with someone offering Spirit Stones—he could both earn wealth and vent his anger. Who wouldn’t take the job?
Picking up on Lin Chang’an’s tone, Lu Yushu laughed, schadenfreude on his face:
“The Long Clan acted too domineering back then, making too many enemies. I hear quite a few Core Formation cultivators have already arrived in the waters around Five Dragon Island.”
It had little to do with them—rather, it was simply that the Long Clan had made too many enemies.
But did the Long Clan have a choice? To prepare resources for forming a Nascent Soul, they had no option but to act so ruthlessly.
After all, it was rare enough for the Long Clan to produce a cultivator who could reach that stage. If they missed the timing, even the best Core Formation Spirit Items would be wasted.
Unfortunately, this grand gamble of the Long Clan had ended in failure.
And now, the backlash had begun.
“Of course, there also seems to be traces of the Mystic Yin Divine Sect involved. I hear the Long Clan once ambushed some of their disciples, even seizing a Spirit Pet that a high-ranking member had prepared for their descendant...”
Lu Yushu spoke leisurely, with a mocking tone.
Resources on Five Dragon Island had already been divided long ago. Seeing the Long Clan fall into misfortune brought joy to everyone else.
However, Lin Chang’an, after hearing all this, remained composed as he gently sipped his Spirit Tea. His calm, spring-breeze-like smile masked the silent calculations churning within.
It seemed the Mystic Yin Divine Sect had set their sights on the Long Clan, believing that the Wind-Chirp Bird was in their hands.
“No matter what the Long Clan has done, Five Dragon Island still belongs to Bihai Palace. The lower ranks may fight, but a Nascent Soul expert from the Mystic Yin Sect would never show up in person.
Otherwise, Bihai Palace wouldn’t just sit and do nothing.”
So reasoned Lin Chang’an. For now, if the Long Clan fell, it wouldn’t bring him much benefit.
As this thought crossed his mind, Lin Chang’an cast a glance at Lu Yushu. Clearly, the biggest beneficiaries of the Long Clan’s collapse would be the major local factions on the island.
He had neither a faction nor a clan—naturally, he couldn’t profit the most.
“However, the Long Clan’s foundation likely won’t crumble that easily.”
Thinking this, Lin Chang’an nodded inwardly. If he were to "fish in troubled waters," perhaps he could try contacting Long Changqing.
But actively weakening the Long Clan seemed to hold little benefit for him.
“I wonder how the Long Clan plans to respond?”
“What else can they do? They’re treating this like facing a great enemy. Some Robber Cultivators have already begun targeting the Long Clan’s merchant ships out at sea. This time, the Island Lord has no choice but to fight.”
Lin Chang’an chuckled and nodded.
Now that the Long Clan was in trouble, there would certainly be opportunists looking to loot a burning house.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, do you have any plans?”
After half a day of casual talk, Lu Yushu finally got to the main point.
Today’s visit was to feel him out.
Lin Chang’an was well aware of this, but seeing Lu Yushu’s eagerness, he pondered a moment, then shook his head:
“These are troubled times. No matter how weakened the Long Clan is, they still have five Core Formation cultivators, not to mention the other surrounding forces.
You and I have only just formed our Cores. Best to go with the flow.”
In essence, Lin Chang’an was saying: observe the situation, and only act when the winds are favorable.
This carried the least risk—but also the least reward.
Hearing this, Lu Yushu was momentarily stunned. This was not what he expected.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, many shops in the Five Dragon Island Marketplace are owned by the Long Clan...”
Lin Chang’an only smiled and shook his head, clearly unmoved.
Inside the pavilion, Lu Yujian quietly breathed a sigh of relief. From the beginning, his clan head had wanted to take a bite out of the Long Clan.
Though he didn’t fully understand the situation, his mother had warned him beforehand that risk and reward always went hand in hand.
Now that the Lu Clan had developed so rapidly, what they needed wasn’t further expansion—but to digest their gains and strengthen their foundation.
After all, much of their current profit came from external dependency.
And such dependency was far too unstable.
Yet his mother had also told him, helplessly, not to speak out—she was no longer clan head.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, if we join forces, and with the help of the Sixth Elder…”
Lu Yushu was still unwilling to give up, but Lin Chang’an shook his head and reminded him:
“Fellow Daoist Lu, that Sixth Elder’s reputation may intimidate people, but if you truly move to seize interests, you’ll face fierce retaliation!”
In the end, that backing wasn’t reliable.
They might bluff people in normal times, but if they actually infringed on the Long Clan’s interests, a desperate wolf wouldn’t care who was behind them.
Moreover, would Fairy Tan, the concubine of the Sixth Elder, really take action on their behalf?
Absolutely impossible. Lin Chang’an didn’t even consider it. They weren’t worth it.
In the end, Lu Yushu opened his mouth to argue, but seeing that Lin Chang’an was unwilling to continue the topic, he could only swallow his words.
Still, he felt some frustration inside—thinking that Lin Chang’an had become more timid after forming his Core.
In the cultivation world, resources were everything, and resources had to be fought for.
But Lin Chang’an understood this well: only eat as much as your stomach can hold, or it could kill you.
…
Inside the pavilion, watching Lu Yushu leave, Lin Chang’an shook his head.
“Does the Lu Clan really not understand their own strength? Too much greed is not always a blessing.”
Only with enough power to match your gains can you deter others. Otherwise, excess resources would only incite envy.
Currently, the Lu Clan’s accumulated resources—earned through his alliance—had already made many people jealous.
“Master, these are invitation letters from other families.”
Just then, the Sword Attendant respectfully presented several Invitation Letters in his hands. Lin Chang’an didn’t even look—he already knew what these people wanted.
“Announce publicly that I’m entering seclusion for a period of time.”
Lin Chang’an didn’t want to get entangled in this mess, so he chose the simplest method—entering seclusion and refusing all visitors.
“Yes, Master!”
The Sword Attendant nodded respectfully. After Lin Chang’an finished his cup of Spirit Tea, he turned and returned to his Cave Abode.
In the pavilion, the Sword Attendant skillfully packed away the tea utensils. Just as he was about to clean up the leftover Spirit Tea, a sudden bellow of a bull rang out.
“Moo!”
At this moment, the Azure-Horned Ox in the pond revealed a greedy expression.
Hearing this, the Sword Attendant lifted his head and, rarely, showed a faint smile. With a flick of his fingers, a stream of water flew directly toward the Azure-Horned Ox’s mouth.
The Spirit Tea typically consumed by Core Formation cultivators was already a rare treasure for Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Even the small amount of leftover tea leaves was something the Sword Attendant carefully poured into his personal teacup from his Storage Pouch.
Then, sitting on a stone by the pond and gazing at the lazy Azure-Horned Ox, the Sword Attendant cradled the cup in both hands and carefully took a gentle sip.
As for these small matters, Lin Chang’an naturally understood them well.
But he didn’t stop it—better to let his own people have it than to waste it.
…
Not only did Lin Chang’an, a Third-rank Formation Master, claim to be in seclusion, but Alchemist Wen of Chihuo Peak also declared he was cultivating in isolation.
Many cultivators followed suit and began announcing their own seclusions.
It was clear that these people didn’t want to dip into this muddy water.
Half a month later, mana fluctuations from a battle between Core Formation cultivators erupted from Five Dragon Island, instantly drawing the attention of countless people.
At that moment, Lin Chang’an, who had already disguised himself and blended into the marketplace, was inside a tavern. As he suddenly sensed the wave of power, his eyes narrowed.
“This aura—it’s a battle between late Core Formation cultivators!”
True Master Hai was challenging the Island Lord of the Long Clan—late Core Formation battling peak Core Formation.
Only, that Island Lord had previously failed in forming a Nascent Soul and was gravely injured. It remained unknown how much strength he still retained.
Under the terrifying fluctuations of this battle, even those in the marketplace could clearly sense it. It attracted the gaze of many Core Formation cultivators.
“Quick! There are even Core Formation cultivators heading toward the Long Clan!”
“There are only a few places on Five Dragon Island where one can form a Core. I heard the price of Restriction-Breaking Talismans has surged lately.”
Under the divine senses of Core Formation cultivators, conversations from nearby cultivators echoed in his ears. Lin Chang’an shook his head.
“From the looks of it, this True Master Hai is probing the Long Clan’s strength. If the Island Lord’s power has truly waned, the Long Clan may face their greatest challenge yet.”
After this battle ended, there would certainly be a series of schemes targeting the Long Clan. As the rumors went, there were only so many Core Formation spots available.
As long as someone from the Long Clan attempted Core Formation, there would inevitably be interference.
But all this had little to do with him.
“Long Changqing… since he is openly in charge of the Long Clan’s business affairs as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he can’t possibly hide—doing so would only arouse suspicion.”
This time, Lin Chang’an, disguised, gazed toward the battlefield’s residual waves with gleaming eyes.
“The Long Clan runs a vast business, but only a few can call the shots. While all their Core Formation cultivators are distracted, as long as I find Long Changqing, I can obtain what I need.”
From his last observation, Long Changqing’s cultivation had likely only reached Core Formation within the past two years.
If things dragged on and he used that item to refine his Life-bound Spirit Plant, then Lin Chang’an would be forced to scheme against a Core Formation cultivator.
That would carry significantly more risk.
“As long as Long Changqing isn’t in the Long Clan’s ancestral ground, I’m confident I can retrieve my treasure.”
With that thought, Lin Chang’an silently nodded.
It was a rare opportunity—the Long Clan was fully distracted. If he missed it now, his solo scheme would become exponentially more difficult.
Of course, Lin Chang’an had also mentally prepared for failure.
…
The battle lasted until dusk.
It ended with True Master Hai retreating in defeat and the Island Lord of the Long Clan emerging victorious.
Watching the situation unfold, Lin Chang’an furrowed his brows slightly.
“Seems the Island Lord of the Long Clan is severely injured.”
The battle’s details were spreading like wildfire. Practically every cultivator now knew.
Once a peak Core Formation cultivator of great strength, the Island Lord had now engaged in a protracted battle with a late-stage Core Formation cultivator like True Master Hai.
Although a cultivator’s power in battle also depended on terrain, magical artifacts, and divine abilities…
The Island Lord’s artifact was a top-grade Third-rank Magical Artifact, and yet he failed to achieve his usual crushing victory.
Clearly, his vitality had been heavily damaged—his strength had diminished greatly.
“Now this True Master Hai likely has a rough grasp of the Island Lord’s true strength.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head, then set down his teacup and made his way toward one of the Long Clan’s shops in the marketplace.
Now, inside and outside the Long Clan’s shops, many cultivators had gathered.
They were all waiting for the Long Clan to collapse so they could loot the burning house.
“Long Changqing, I’ve found you!”
Stepping into the shop, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but curl his lips—he had sensed that familiar aura.
It seemed Long Changqing had not formed his Core in secret.
However, unlike the other rogue cultivators who were waiting to make a move once the Long Clan fell into chaos—
Lin Chang’an intended to act before the unrest.
When chaos struck the Long Clan, it would likely mean they were attempting a Core Formation. Long Changqing would likely be hiding in a secret place.
So, Lin Chang’an chose to strike first.
He assumed that by now, every Core Formation cultivator in the Long Clan had been targeted—touch one, and all would be affected.
“This fellow Daoist, our Long Clan’s shop is temporarily closed for reorganization.”
In the face of upheaval, the Long Clan had chosen the safest strategy.
But after entering the shop, Lin Chang’an, disguised as a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, let out a raspy chuckle.
“Closed? I have a treasure that I believe the Long Clan urgently needs right now.”
Then, with a secret voice transmission, the Long Clan cultivator receiving him suddenly widened his pupils.
“Fellow Daoist, please come upstairs.”
In the next moment, faced with the other’s respectful demeanor, Lin Chang’an smiled.
In times of chaos, people took advantage in different ways.
Some chose to speculate—jacking up prices to sell critical items to the Long Clan.
He, in his disguise, was one such person—a reasonable and plausible role.
More importantly, he needed to confirm whether Long Changqing still had the Mysterious Sky Withered Leaf. If he did—
Then this was his chance.